Strawberry plant named &#39;Mojave&#39;

ABSTRACT

‘Mojave’ is typical of short-day (June bearing) strawberry cultivars and produces fruit over an extended period when treated appropriately in arid, subtropical climates. When treated with appropriate planting regimes, ‘Mojave’ has larger fruit and produces individual-plant yields greater than that of ‘Camarosa’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 8,708). It further produces similar quantities of fruit per plant but develops larger and higher quality fruit than ‘Ventana’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 13,469). ‘Mojave’ also produces a larger fraction of marketable fruit than any of the comparison cultivars.

GENUS AND SPECIES

The strawberry cultivar of this invention is botanically identified as Fragaria×ananassa Duch.

VARIETY DENOMINATION

The variety denomination is ‘Mojave’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a new and distinctive short-day type cultivar designated as ‘Mojave’. This new cultivar was the result of a cross performed in 2004 between the cultivar ‘Palomar’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 19,472 ) and unreleased germplasm accession Cal 1.57-601 (unpatented). Accession Cal 1.57-601 was chosen as a parent due to its large, dark colored, and high quality fruit and also due to its high early-season productivity. ‘Mojave’ was first fruited at a center near Irvine, Calif. in 2005, where it was selected, originally designated Cal 4.44-603, and propagated asexually by runners. Following selection and during testing, the plant of this selection was designated ‘C227 ’. It was later designated ‘Mojave’ for the purposes of introduction into commerce. Asexual propagules from this original source have been tested at the Watsonville, Calif., in Irvine, Calif., and to a limited extent in grower fields starting in 2006. The cultivar is stable and reproduces true to type in successive generations of asexual reproduction.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

‘Mojave’ is typical of short-day (June bearing) strawberry cultivars and produces fruit over an extended period when treated appropriately in arid, subtropical climates. When treated with appropriate planting regimes, ‘Mojave’ has larger fruit and produces individual-plant yields greater than that of ‘Camarosa’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 8,708 ). It further produces similar quantities of fruit per plant but develops larger and higher quality fruit than ‘Ventana’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 13,469 ). ‘Mojave’ also produces a larger fraction of marketable fruit than any of the comparison cultivars.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The figures depict various characteristics of the ‘Mojave’ cultivar.

FIG. 1 shows the general flowering and fruiting characteristics of the plant in a field planting.

FIG. 2 shows a typical leaf at mid-season.

FIG. 3 shows representative mid-season fruit.

FIG. 4 shows a cross-section of representative mid-season fruit.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

‘Mojave’ is typical of short-day strawberry cultivars and produces fruit over an extended period when treated appropriately in arid, subtropical climates. The production pattern for ‘Mojave’ is similar to that of ‘Ventana’ and ‘Palomar’, although it is somewhat earlier to initiate fruiting with most cultural treatments than ‘Camarosa’. ‘Mojave’ initiates fruiting slightly later than ‘Ventana’ when established in late fall. ‘Mojave’ will be of special interest for winter plantings, where ‘Camarosa’, ‘Ventana’, and ‘Palomar’ have been successful, and in summer plantings where ‘Pajaro’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 4,538 ) and ‘Chandler’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 5,262 ) have been successful.

-   Plants and foliage:

Fruiting plants of ‘Mojave’ are similar in morphology to ‘Camarosa’, although slightly more open and erect and somewhat smaller than ‘Ventana’, throughout most of the production season with most cultural treatments. ‘Mojave’ plants are larger than those of ‘Palomar’ and similar in size to those of ‘Camarosa’ in most production environments. Comparative statistics for foliar characteristics near mid-season are given for ‘Mojave’ and three comparison cultivars in Table 1. Individual leaflets for ‘Mojave’ are larger than all three comparison cultivars. Leaves (including petioles) for ‘Mojave’ are similar in length to ‘Ventana’ and ‘Camarosa’, but with shorter petioles and larger leaflets. The leaves are longer than those for ‘Palomar’. The adaxial (upper) surfaces of leaves for ‘Mojave’ are similar in color to ‘Camarosa’ and darker than ‘Ventana’ leaves at mid season, whereas the abaxial (lower) surface is somewhat lighter in color. Leaves of ‘Mojave’ have consistently more concavity than ‘Camarosa’, less concavity than ‘Palomar’ and are similar to those of ‘Ventana’. ‘Mojave’ leaves have similar shape and number of serrations at mid season as the comparison cultivars.

TABLE 1 Foliar and plant characteristics for ‘Mojave’, ‘Camarosa’, ‘Palomar’, and ‘Ventana’. Cultivar Foliar Character ‘Camarosa’ ‘Ventana’ ‘Palomar’ ‘Mojave’ Plant height (mm) mean 299 277 262 291 range 280-320 250-300 250-290 270-300 Plant spread (mm) mean 431 432 388 433 range 395-490 370-485 360-455 400-470 Mid-tier leaflet Length (mm) mean 100 92 88 108 range  93-105  55-110 76-93  96-120 Width (mm) mean 87 79 72 87 range  80-100 73-90 65-80 77-95 Mid-tier leaf Length (mm) mean 290 314 244 308 range 267-325 235-350 160-282 270-400 Width (mm) mean 178 169 156 181 range 152-210 150-190 128-175 165-210 Leaf components Petiole length (mm) mean 194 220 169 201 range 170-220 190-240 150-175 165-245 Petiole diameter (mm) mean 5.1 4.9 4.5 4.8 range 4-6 4-6 4-5 4-6 Petiolule length (mm) mean 8.5 6.1 5.5 7.6 range  6-10 5-7 4-6 6-9 # leaflets/leaf 3 3 3, rarely 4 or 3 5 Leaf convexity Some convex, flat to very concave to most flat to concave very concave slight concave Serrations number/leaf 19.5 20.6 20.6 20.5 range 18-21 18-23 18-23 18-24 shape rounded, semi-pointed semi-pointed rounded, some semi- some semi- pointed pointed Leaf pubescence light- light- moderate- moderate moderate moderate light Petiole pubescence density heavy moderate- heavy moderate- heavy heavy direction perpendicular perpendicular perpendicular perpendicular to acropetal Petiole color (Munsell) 2.5 GY 8/9 2.5 GY 8/9 2.5 GY 8/9 5 GY 8/8 Stipule length (mm) mean 33.8 31.9 33.3 35.9 range 30-45 25-40 25-41 19-40 Stipule color core 7.5 GY 9/4 2.5 GY 9/8    10 Y 9/9 2.5 GY 9/8  margins 7.5 GY 8/7   10 Y 8/11 2.5 GY 9/8   5 GY 7/10 Stolon base diameter (mm) 1.7 1.5 2.3 2.3 Stolons per nursery mother 28.0 18.8 25.5 22.5 plant Venation pattern pinnate pinnate pinnate pinnate color 10 GY 7/8 5 GY 8/8 2.5 GY 8/9 7.5 G 8/7

-   Diseases and pest reaction:

‘Mojave’ is moderately resistant to powdery mildew (Sphaerotheca macularis), Verticillium wilt (Verticillium dahliae), and common leaf spot (Ramularia tulasnei). It is moderately susceptible to Anthracnose crown rot (Colletotrichum acutatum), and is highly susceptible to Phytophthora crown rot (Phytophthora cactorum) (Table 2 ). When treated properly, it has tolerance to two-spotted spider mites (Tetranychus urticae), equal to that for the comparison cultivars. ‘Mojave’ is tolerant to strawberry viruses encountered in California.

TABLE 2. Disease resistance scores for ‘Mojave’ and three comparison cultivars. Phytophthora and Verticillium scores were obtained in evaluations conducted between 2004-2006; Colletotrichum was evaluated between 2005-2006. Phytophthora Verticillium Colletotrichum Resistance Resistance Resistance Score Score Score Genotype (5 = best) (5 = best) (5 = best) ‘Camarosa’ 3.06 3.08 3.1 ‘Ventana’ 2.06 2.89 2.7 ‘Palomar’ 2.81 4.14 3.0 ‘Mojave’ 2.31 3.75 2.7

-   Flowering, fruiting, fruit, and production characteristics:

‘Mojave’ is similar to other California short-day strawberry cultivars (e. g. ‘Ventana’, ‘Camarosa’, and ‘Palomar’) in that it will flower over an extended period and into spring or summer, given appropriate local temperature and horticultural conditions. With very early plantation establishment (before October 1 in California), ‘Mojave’ produces fruit as early as ‘Ventana’ and ‘Palomar’, and earlier than ‘Camarosa’, with similar seasonal productivity to ‘Ventana’. With later plantation establishment ‘Mojave’ initiates fruit later than ‘Ventana’, and is similar in production timing to ‘Camarosa’ and ‘Palomar’, with slightly lower seasonal productivity than ‘Ventana’. Comparative statistics for flower and fruit characteristics near mid-season are given for the four cultivars in Table 4. The primary flowers for ‘Mojave’ are smaller than ‘Ventana’ and ‘Camarosa’, with a calyx that is usually larger than the corolla on primary fruit, and much smaller than ‘Palomar’. The calyx for ‘Mojave’ varies in position, but frequently has a slight indent later in the season. The fruit shape for ‘Mojave’ can vary but is larger than the comparison cultivars, and is typically a short to medium and very symmetric conic. It is easily distinguished by fruit shape from ‘Camarosa’ (shortened and flattened conic), or ‘Ventana’ (medium symmetrical conic), and ‘Palomar’ (short symmetrical conic). External and internal fruit color for ‘Mojave’ is distinctly darker than the comparison cultivars (Table 3). Achenes vary from yellow to dark red, and are even with the fruit surface or slightly indented.

‘Mojave’ has been tested under a variety of cultural regimes, and optimal performance is obtained when nursery treatments and nutritional programs similar to those of ‘Camarosa’, ‘Ventana’, and ‘Palomar’ are used. In general, plants of ‘Mojave’ are equally vigorous as ‘Camarosa’ although ‘Mojave’ initiates growth more rapidly after transplant. ‘Mojave’ is less vigorous than ‘Ventana’, with very early season planting, but more vigorous than ‘Palomar’. ‘Mojave’ retains excellent fruit quality in summer planting systems.

When treated with appropriate planting regimes, ‘Mojave’ has larger fruit and produces individual-plant yields greater than that of ‘Camarosa’. It produces similar quantities of fruit per plant, but develops larger and higher quality fruit than ‘Ventana’ (Table 5 ). Commercial appearance ratings have been equal to or better than those for all of the comparison cultivars, and are substantially larger than ‘Camarosa’ and ‘Ventana’. ‘Mojave’ produces a larger fraction of marketable fruit than any of the comparison cultivars. Fruit for ‘Mojave’ is slightly less firm than fruit from ‘Ventana’, and much less firm than the other comparison cultivars. Subjectively, ‘Mojave’ has outstanding flavor. The fruit will be exceptional for both fresh market and processing, and will be useful for home gardening purposes.

TABLE 3 Foliar and fruit color characteristics for ‘Mojave’ and three comparison cultivars. Color Cultivar Character ‘Camarosa’ ‘Ventana’ ‘Palomar’ ‘Mojave’ Leaf color (CIELAB) Adaxial L* mean 37.1 40.0 35.2 38.0 range 34.8-41.3 33.2-39.2 33.7-37.0 35.8-42.3 a* mean −13.1 −10.8 −8.9 −11.6 range −11.5-−16.8  −9.1-−13.3  −7.0-−11.9  −8.1-−14.1 b* mean 16.6 15.5 11.3 15.6 range 15.3-17.7 12.8-19.5  9.1-12.3 11.4-21.5 Munsell   5 GY 5/6 2.5 GY 4/3   5 GY 4/3   5 GY 5/6 Abaxial L*mean 51.5 48.5 49.0 51.6 range 48.8-53.4 45.6-50.2 36.3-50.6 47.9-59.3 a*mean −14.7 −12.3 −12.2 −14.1 range −13.7-−16.5 −11.3-−13.3 −11.2-−13.3 −13.0-−14.9 b*mean 22.3 20.7 18.6 21.2 range 19.6-26.2 17.6-22.7 14.7-22.2 18.9-23.7 Munsell 7.5 GY 8/7 7.5 GY 8/7 7.5 GY 9/4 7.5 GY 9/4 Fruit color (CIELAB) External L* mean 36.5 34.4 33.7 31.7 range 33.2-40.0 31.7-36.3 28.9-36.5 28.8-34.6 a* mean 33.3 33.6 34.4 36.0 range 28.6-39.3 25.9-38.7 24.3-39.7 29.7-39.1 b* mean 17.9 15.8 15.4 15.0 range 10.9-26.2 10.4-20.9 11.5-23.6 10.5-19.2 Munsell 7.5 R 4/11 7.5 R 5/13   5 R 3/7   5 R 3/7 Internal L* mean 53.7 52.4 48.4 52.5 a* range 44.2-60.9 48.6-57.8 42.1-54.9 49.7-56.4 mean 29.6 28.8 24.7 23.2 range 24.8-33.8 23.9-33.9 21.1-29.0 17.3-40.0 b* mean 26.3 23.7 20.2 21.5 range 21.4-30.1 18.1-27.5 18.2-23.8 19.0-24.1 Munsell 7.5 R 5/13   5 R 5/13 7.5 R 6/12   5 R 6/11 Achene color 2.5 Y 7/10  10 Y 8/11 7.5 R 8/12 7.5 Y 8/12 Munsell

TABLE 4 Flower and fruit characteristics for ‘Mojave’ and three comparison cultivars. Cultivar Character ‘Camarosa’ ‘Nentana’ ‘Palomar’ ‘Mojave’ Petal number mean 5.7 6.2 5.7 5.6 range 5-8 5-8 5-6 5-7 Petal shape apex truncate truncate truncate truncate to slightly to slightly to slightly to slightly base obtuse obtuse obtuse obtuse margin attenuate attenuate attenuate attenuate entire entire entire entire Petal length (mm) mean 14.2 15.1 18.3 15.5 range 13-16 14-17 15-21 14-16 Petal width (mm) mean 14.8 16.9 18.2 15.2 range 13-16 16-19 15-22 14-17 Flower position most even even to even to even to (relative to foliage) some exposed exposed exposed exposed Calyx diam.(mm) mean 48.1 45.2 57.5 36.1 range 40-52 42-52 51-61 28-45 Corolla diam.(mm) mean 37.4 39.7 44.4 35.0 range 32-44 38-42 42-47 30-40 Sepal length (mm) mean 20.6 19.7 23.5 14.3 range 16-25 19-22 19-28 12-16 Sepal width (mm) mean 11.5 9.8 11.7 6.2 range 10-13 8-11 10-13 5-8 Sepal color 7.5 GY 5/7 2.5 GY 8/9 7.5 GY 7/9   5 GY 6/8 (Munsell) Pedicel length (mm) mean 229 259 183 238 range 220-240 230-290 150-210 190-290 Pedicel diameter (mm) mean 3.1 4.3 3.7 4.8 range 2-4 3-5 3-5 4-6 Pedicel color 2.5 GY 6/8 2.5 GY 9/8   5 GY 8/8 7.5 GY 8/7 Fruit shape Fruit length (mm) mean 48.7 50.5 49.9 50.1 range 43-53 45-60 43-55 45-55 Fruit width (mm) mean 40.7 45.2 44.4 44.4 range 37-51 41-53 38-55 40-52 Length/ width ratio 1.21 1.12 1.13 1.13 range 1.0-1.4 1.0-1.2 1.0-1.3 1.0-1.3 subjective Obovate- Medium Short Short- flat conic conic Medium conic Primary/secondary fruit comparison size (subjective)  40-60%  50-60%  50-60%  50-60% shape similar similar similar similar shape, more shape shape shape conic Extent/size of small- Small small- small- hollow core absent absent absent Calyx position indented- even- even- even- neck reflexed indented indented size relative to equal or equal or equal or equal or fruit less less greater greater than fruit than fruit than fruit than fruit diameter diameter diameter diameter Seed position indented- even- even- even- extruded extruded indented indented Adherence of Weak Inter- Weak Weak Calyx to Fruit mediate

Flower and plant measurements obtained on Apr. 3, 2008; fruit measurements obtained between May 10-20, 2008.

TABLE 5 Performance of ‘Mojave’ and three comparison cultivars evaluated in Watsonville, CA between 2008-9. All plants for these trials were harvested from a commercial nursery near Macdoel, CA between October 15-16, and transplanted after 6-7 days to supplemental storage. Fruit harvest was initiated in early April and continued through the last week of August. (52″ 2-row beds, 17,300 plants/acre). Appearance Fruit Yield Score Size Item (g/plant) (5 = best) (g/fruit) Firmness ‘Camarosa’ 2,137 2.7 28.6 10.1 ‘Ventana’ 2,616 3.0 33.3  9.8 ‘Palomar’ 2,667 3.7 34.1 10.4 ‘Mojave’ 2,271 3.8 36.1  9.5 

1. A new and distinct cultivar of strawberry plant having the characteristics substantially as described and illustrated herein. 